Latest News, NBA / Nov 18, 2009 / 12:30 pm

5 Suitors For The Inevitable Monta Ellis Trade

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Monta Ellis

At this point, it appears that it’s not if, but rather when, Monta Ellis will be traded from the Warriors. With his agent, Jeff Fried, scheduled to meet with team management in Oakland tomorrow, apparently at Don Nelson’s urging, Golden State has been calling teams and offering to trade Ellis all week.

We all know the stories. From throwing his teammates under the bus to beefing with Steph Curry to his verbal altercation with Nellie in New York, things have not been good since Monta signed his deal to stay in the Bay. Probably didn’t help with that whole moped thing.

Like Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington before him, when players want out of the Bay, they seem to get their wish. But with four years and $44 million owed to him after this season, he’s not as easily movable as you may think. With that in mind though, here are five potential suitors for Monta:

1. Philadelphia: Monta Ellis for Samuel Dalembert
Like any trade, both teams needs to be willing to part with something. And that’s definitely the case here. The Sixers are in desperate need of another guard, and one that can score, while the Warriors could use an athletic big man in Dalembert.

2. New Orleans: Monta Ellis for Emeka Okafor
With Chris Paul out for the next couple weeks, the Hornets need to act fast. And what better way than to bring in another exciting guard who can take some of the burden off CP3 once he returns. We all know that the Hornets have been underwhelmed for with Okafor’s production since he’s come down to NOLA, and the Warriors would love to have the athletic big shore up their front line. Could be one of the nastiest backcourts in the League.

3. LA Clippers: Monta Ellis for Baron Davis
This would be perfect for both teams. Although he’s back home in Los Angeles, Davis hasn’t been the same since he left Golden State. Plus, the Clippers are basically getting the same type of player – but younger. With so much turmoil up in the Bay, bringing Boom Dizzle back for a renaissance would be a gift to their fans.

4. Cleveland: Monta Ellis for Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Could you imagine a backcourt of Mo Williams, Monta Ellis and LeBron James? While that might be too much firepower for the Cavs, this would definitely be a move in the right direction to get LeBron to think about Cleveland past 2010. With all the injuries on the Warriors, Big Z would get the minutes he’s looking for in Golden State and the cap space after this season. Win-win for both teams.

5. New York: Monta Ellis for Eddy Curry
I know that the Knicks have no desire to acquire long term deals, but it’s becoming increasingly more evident that New York needs some glimmer of hope before any free agent (that wants to win) is going to sign there. Plus, Monta’s deal would be on the books, but at least he’d be productive. Ellis would not only help the Knicks win some games this year, but he’d also sell some jerseys. While E-City probably wouldn’t have much to contribute for the Warriors, if they’re in desperate need to ship Ellis, this move should be considered.

What do you think?

Follow Aron on Twitter at @the_real_aron.

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  • Matt K

    The Curry for Ellis trade would not be straight up obv. u guys. The Knicks would probably send Curry, Wilson Chandler (who would immediately be a starter on GS), and Cat Mobley’s insured expiring contract for Ellis, Ronny Turiaf, and Speed Claxton (and more importantly, his expiring)…this trade would make sense for both sides, as GS gets some value and Knicks get a serious piece and only lose an additional $1.6 mill in cap space for next year…

  • Rodney

    @gmoney
    Monta and a scrub for Bosh AND a draft pick? Are you kidding me? If Bosh does leave, don’t you think we’d want the available money to use on something other than Monta Ellis, while also giving up future talent?

  • Andrew

    Eddy Curry for Ellis?! Are you serious?! Only a Knicks homer would think that’s a good trade for both teams. I think a trade package that involves Ellis and David Lee would make more sense. From the Sixers, maybe something that involves Thaddeus. Baron, not going to happen. Ilgauskus, again not going to happen. Cavs didn’t want to give him up for Jackson, why would they for Ellis.

  • Andrew

    “While they may not be getting back the best talent, they are getting rid of four years and $44 million” – If I was the Warriors, I’d keep Monta than get rid of him for cap space. Face it Aron, your Knicks is stuck with Eddy Curry. The Knicks can’t even trade him for cap spacem, let alone a player with actual talent.

  • wifey

    what about jose calderon for monta ellis straight up? Golden State gets a leader who would be perfect for Nelly, and the raps a much needed offensive/aggressive minded player since every raptor’s a pussy.

  • gilford22

    What the hell is that trade for Sam Dalembert? Lou Williams and Monta Ellis plays exactly the same. And neither of them is a shooter!

  • kshak

    Im sorry to say, but these trade ideas are extremely weak. It just shows how little the author of this article knows about Monta Ellis and his value.

    Pretty weak article, I have to say.

  • TDP

    Monta Ellis and Anthony Randolph for Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey.

  • Brettman

    @28, you are freakin’ dreaming!

  • http://www.diznuts.blogspot.com Darkness

    Ima lifelong Knicks fan, but even I know a Scooter Ellis/Fats Curry trade, with them as the headliners, wouldn’t work. I can’t even say “09 Eddy Curry” and “trade centerpiece” in the same sentence with a straight face.

  • http://www.dimemag.com Aron Phillips

    I love these comments. Couple things:

    1. I am NOT a Knicks fan.
    2. I check all the trades out in the Trade Machine and they work.
    3. You gotta understand that he’s making $10 million this year so only so many guys you can trade for him straight up.

  • RunTMC

    @ Brettman @59

    Please list some fair trades then if you got something to say?

  • june

    ok, why are alot of you people
    crying about getting someone real
    good in return for Ellis like if he
    was an all-star. It would be ok just
    to get something in return and get
    rid of him as soon as possible. You
    just dont need guys on your team that
    dont want to work hard everyday..

  • albert

    First, we need to get rid of Nelson!!!!!

  • Sweet English

    Everone saying ‘Monta is worth more than all those trades’ I would like to take this oppertunity to say, you are a bunch of divs.

    1. Monta has a BIG contract, this aint NBA Live 04, trades have to make sense financially before they make sense on the court.

    2. When a player WANTS to be traded, you don’t get full value for them. Its not like the Warriors are taking advantage of a blinding couple weeks in Montas career and trading high while they can. Monta is currently struggling and coming off the back of some poor decision making which makes him a RISK.

    When a player wants to go and there is nothing you can do, you should be lucky you get anything back in return at all.

  • Derek1021

    As a lifelong Cavs fan Id be extremely pissed if they traded Big Z for Monta. I know the big guy is old but he’s been here from day 1 and I cant wait until his #11 is in the rafters at the Q.

  • Bo Diddly

    Another vote for Ellis’ nickname to be ‘scooter’.

    It is too easy to jump on a player that makes it clear they are unhappy when playing on a terrible team. I am a Warriors fan, but I can understand Captain Jack and Scooter ; ) wanting to get out of there. It is only right for a vet to want out of a situation of constant losing. A bit of loyalty would be nice but let’s face it, apart from THAT ONE SERIES, the Warriors have been tuurible forever.

  • http://allthatjazzbasketball.blogspot.com/ Amar

    I like sending him to utah for boozer and shit. (redundant)

  • rob miller

    I think Knicks need him hands down. They need to build and build fast cause Lebron not going there and then get Amarie or bosh or both. And trade Larry Hughes he don’t want to be there.

  • Joe’s momma

    why does every trade scenario involve the Cavs? Every player in the NBA who is about to be traded gets lumped with the Cavs and the Knicks. Lame

    Why would GS want Eddy Curry? guy doesnt fit into what they want to do.

    Clips don’t want an undersized 2 who cries and says “I’m not taking anything else on my shoulders.” Plus they already have a 2 who is superior in E. Gordon.

    NOLA is not gonna trade a big for a small. Hilton Armstrong is not gonna hold down that fort.

    Cavs aint giving up Z for a small. Shaq is already hurt 10 games into the season. Z has been very durable, and they love him.

    Philly, maybe. But that is pennies on the dollar.

    Come up with some better trade ideas boys and girls…

  • kuz1998

    Monta scored 34 last night, played great defense and led the Warriors all over the Blazers. He sure didn’t play like a player who for sure will be traded. The best trade for the W’s regarding Monta is NO TRADE! Now that ball hog Jackson is gone the W’s are beginning to play like a team and actually passing a few times before shooting – Good luck to the Bobcats…

  • zac

    Monta has not said anything about wanting to be traded… he is worth more than any of these guys. How about derrrick rose for ellis?

  • Kquaye

    I think sending him to Utah for Boozer would be a good trade for both teams. Utah wouldnt really losse anything. They have Paul Millsap who filled in for Boozer and put up better numbers than Booz when he was in. and Monta could play minutes at PG and SG. GS could play Steph Curry at the 1 and Anthony Morrow at the 2

  • zac

    How about derrick rose for ellis?

  • ss

    Trade Nelson not Monta!!

  • JB

    Whoever wrote this article is really dumb. It amazes me that someone could be so stupid. I don’t know who aron philips is, but if he works for DIME they should fire him. Monta is a future all star, top 10 player in the league. For starters, MONTA ISN’T GOING TO BE TRADED. For the retards at Dime, find some other lie to sell magazines. Monta for the sum of the players on all 5 teams listed might be fair (golden state still would be getting a bad deal).

    Please take your head out from between your cheeks and report something real from now on. Aron Philips is a major idiot who knows nothing about basketball.

  • GURU

    THIS Doesnt make any sense who would trade him for EMEKA OKAFOR (the NO need a big guy there who can do what OKAFOR is doing ) they dont need another Guard…

    Mo Williams, Monta Ellis and LeBron James??????This doesnt make any sense either..WHos gonna play at the 5?

  • mike

    these are all terrible

  • Kevin

    Ellis is the more dominant player out of all these choices by far, his stats say it all. Keep him, Steph Curry, Biedrins and see what happens next year. WE are all injured this year.

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